With the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition in Goa looking for a replacement to ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Congress MLAs on Monday rallied behind Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Chandrakant Kavlekar and staked claim to form a government in the State.
Leader of the Opposition and CLP leader Kavlekar, with 15 other MLAs, visited the Raj Bhavan and submitted a letter to Governor Mridula Sinha’s office, reiterating their demand that she should not dissolve the Assembly and pave the way for a fresh election even if the BJP-led government tries to do that in view of the “political turmoil” following Mr. Parrikar’s failing health.
Instead, she should invite the Congress, as the single largest party, to form the next government, they said.
‘Don’t hold fresh poll’
The Governor is presently out of Goa and is expected to return on Tuesday.
“We have requested the Governor through our letter that the Assembly should not be dissolved and fresh election forced on the State. We have also asked her not to impose President’s Rule or keep the House in suspended animation. People have elected us for five years. Pushing for an election after a mere 18 months is not good for anybody,” Mr. Kavlekar said.
The CLP leader’s move comes at a time when the BJP’s Central observers are meeting leaders of their own party and alliance members here to ascertain their views and finalise an alternative for Mr. Parrikar.
The Chief Minister has been fighting pancreatitis for several months, and was last week airlifted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi for examination and treatment.
Earlier last week, State Congress president Girish Chodankar had written to the Governor cautioning her against dissolution of the House, and seeking an opportunity for the Opposition party to form a government.
The Congress is the single largest party in the 40-member Assembly with 16 MLAs, while the BJP, which has 14 MLAs, is supported by three members each of the Goa Forward Party and the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, one Nationalist Congress Party legislator and three independent MLAs.
Sick bay
While Mr. Parrikar is in hospital, Urban Development Minister Francis D’Souza is taking treatment for cancer in New York and Power Minister Pandurang Madkaikar, who suffered a stroke some months ago, is bedridden at his private residence near here, after a prolonged stay at a Mumbai hospital.
Some Goa Ministers and ruling BJP MLAs claimed that the former Defence Minister continued to clear official files from the hospital.
“He is clearing files. Today, I got four files cleared by him. So where is the question of giving charge to anyone else,” Public Works Department Minister Sudin Dhavalikar told the media here on Monday.
Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho, who claimed he had met the Chief Minister in Delhi on Sunday, said that Mr. Parrikar was recovering well and that there was no vacancy for the top political post in Goa.
“He was in a very cheerful mood. He is just taking rest. His health has improved,” Mr. Godinho said.
Asked about the demand for a “permanent solution” to the leadership crisis in the State raised by the allies, he said, “The Chief Minister’s post is not vacant. Mr. Parrikar will continue as a CM.”
When Sports Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, alliance partner, was asked why the ruling party was burdening an ailing Mr. Parrikar with official work, the Minister said, “It is his (Mr. Parrikar’s) decision.”
